Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
The Canadian government has announced a number of new measures to quicken the immigration process for family members of Canadian citizens seriously affected by the earthquake.
"The Government of Canada is committed to helping reunite close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are seriously and personally affected by the earthquake," said Citizenship and Immigration Minister Joe Volpe in a press statement. "Immigration officials acted quickly after the tsunami and are taking a similar approach to this crisis," he added.
As it did after the 26 Dec. South Asian tsunami disaster, the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has decided to expedite existing Family Class immigration applications under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the immediate family members of individuals affected by the earthquake. Priority is being given to spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children. The press release added that new applications under the Family Class act would be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
